Italy's Health Ministry on Tuesday issued a red alert for 15 cities, including Rome and Milan, as an intense heatwave continues to grip the country, raising concerns over public health.According to the ministry, the number of cities under the highest level of heat warning is expected to rise to 16 on Wednesday. A red alert is considered the most severe warning level and indicates conditions that could pose health risks not only to vulnerable groups but also to healthy individuals.AFP reported from Rome that authorities have urged residents to take precautions against the extreme temperatures. The Health Ministry advised people to eat light meals, stay indoors during the hottest hours of the day, drink plenty of water, and cool their bodies with cold water when necessary.Like several other European countries, Italy has been experiencing increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves. Experts warn that climate change is contributing to the growing occurrence of such extreme weather events.Source: AFP